Tetherless biopsy device with self-reversing cutter drive mechanism

Abstract

A biopsy device includes a body, a needle, a cutter, a motor, a power source, a vacuum source, and a cutter translation assembly. The needle extends distally from the body and receives tissue. The cutter translates with respect to the needle to sever tissue received by the needle. The motor is disposed within the body and rotates a drive shaft in a first direction. The power source is disposed within the body and powers the motor. The vacuum source is disposed within the body and provides vacuum in at least one of the needle and the cutter. The cutter translation assembly is disposed within the body and translates the cutter proximally and distally with respect to the needle in response to rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a body; 
 (b) a needle extending distally from the body, wherein the needle is configured to receive tissue; 
 (c) a hollow cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to translate with respect to the needle to sever tissue received by the needle; 
 (d) a motor disposed within the body and operable to rotate a drive shaft in a first direction; 
 (e) a power source disposed within the body and operable to power the motor; 
 (f) a vacuum source disposed within the body, wherein the vacuum source is configured to provide vacuum in at least one of the needle and the hollow cutter; and 
 (f) a cutter translation assembly disposed within the body, wherein the cutter translation assembly is operable to translate the cutter proximally with respect to the needle in response to rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction, and wherein the cutter translation assembly is further operable to translate the cutter distally with respect to the needle in response to rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter translation assembly comprises a lead screw. 
     
     
       3. The biopsy device of  claim 2 , wherein the lead screw is positioned about the cutter and unitarily secured to the cutter. 
     
     
       4. The biopsy device of  claim 3 , wherein the lead screw comprises a plurality of discrete threads. 
     
     
       5. The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle comprises a first lumen and a second lumen. 
     
     
       6. The biopsy device of  claim 5 , wherein the cutter is configured to translate within the first lumen. 
     
     
       7. The biopsy device of  claim 6 , wherein the second lumen is in fluid communication with the first lumen. 
     
     
       8. The biopsy device of  claim 7 , further comprising a valve. 
     
     
       9. The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is configured to vent the second lumen to atmosphere. 
     
     
       10. The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is configured to seal the second lumen relative to atmosphere. 
     
     
       11. The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is responsive to the position of the cutter. 
     
     
       12. The biopsy device of  claim 8 , wherein the valve is configured to vent the second lumen when the cutter is at a distal position. 
     
     
       13. The biopsy device of  claim 12 , wherein the valve is further configured to seal the second lumen relative to atmosphere when the cutter is at a proximal position. 
     
     
       14. The biopsy device of  claim 13 , wherein the valve is further configured to substantially seal the second lumen relative to atmosphere when the cutter is at transitional positions between the proximal and distal positions. 
     
     
       15. The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the biopsy device further comprises a valve assembly, and wherein a portion of the cutter translation assembly is configured to engage a portion of the valve assembly. 
     
     
       16. The biopsy device of  claim 15 , wherein engagement between the portion of the cutter translation assembly and the portion of the valve assembly is configured to reverse the translation direction of the cutter. 
     
     
       17. The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the biopsy device is operable to rotate the cutter in response to rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction. 
     
     
       18. The biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
       19. A tetherless biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a body; 
 (b) a needle extending distally from the body, wherein the needle is configured to receive tissue; 
 (c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to translate relative to the needle, wherein the cutter is configured to sever tissue received by the needle; 
 (d) a vacuum pump disposed within the body, the vacuum pump operable to provide vacuum to at least one of the cutter and the needle; 
 (e) a motor disposed within the body, wherein the motor is operable to rotate a drive shaft in a first direction; 
 (f) a battery disposed within the body, the battery operable to power the motor; and 
 (g) a self-reversing cutter translation assembly operable to translate the cutter in a distal direction and in a proximal direction in response to rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction. 
 
     
     
       20. A biopsy device, comprising:
 (a) a body; 
 (b) a needle extending distally from the body; 
 (c) a cutter, wherein the cutter is configured to translate relative to the needle, wherein the cutter is configured to sever tissue; 
 (d) a motor having a drive shaft, wherein the motor is operable to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction; 
 (e) a valve assembly; and 
 (f) a self-reversing cutter translation assembly; 
 wherein rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction is operable to provide translation of the cutter; and 
 wherein engagement between a portion of the valve assembly and a portion of the cutter translation assembly is operable to reverse the direction of translation of the cutter.